Jul 31, 2026, 11:14 AM ET

It's becoming harder to recommend holding Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed reliever Gregory Soto after he took a loss on Thursday against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds. Soto entered a tied ballgame at 2-2 in the ninth inning and allowed the winning run on a hit, two walks, and a strikeout in two-thirds of an inning to lose his third game of the year. Despite the loss, the 31-year-old veteran southpaw did come into his appearance on Thursday in Cincinnati with seven straight scoreless outings, which included two saves with seven strikeouts and two walks. Despite being up and down all year, the Dominican reliever has been Pittsburgh's most consistent source of saves. Soto now sits at 5-3 with a 3.77 ERA (3.76 FIP), a 1.08 WHIP, 13 saves, 52 strikeouts, and 20 walks in 45 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. The leash is going to be short with Soto, and if more struggles follow, Mason Montgomery could begin to see more save opportunities in the Steel City. Soto is currently rostered in only 36% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jul 31, 2026, 11:11 AM ET

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson earned a third-down rep with the first-team offense on Friday, as pointed out by Steelers beat writer Nick Farabaugh. Friday's session was a low-intensity walk-through, so Johnson's work with the starting offense carries less signal than it might in a full-padded practice, but his dynasty managers will surely welcome any signs of momentum gained. Johnson was a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft but disappointed as a rookie with only 69 rushing yards on 28 carries. He now looks for a clean slate with a brand new coaching staff, and while he remains firmly behind Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle on the depth chart, his presence in a situational third-down role should be viewed with encouragement in a Steelers offense likely to continue featuring its backs in the passing game. Johnson is outside RotoBaller's top 300 players for 2026 and has fallen to RB57 in the latest dynasty rankings.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Nick Farabaugh

Jul 31, 2026, 11:00 AM ET

Since landing with the Las Vegas Raiders as a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft, rookie wide receiver Malik Benson has drawn praise for his ability to stress a defense vertically. Benson made a number of deep catches throughout OTAs and minicamp, and he has continued to make plays during the team's first practices of training camp, already taking reps with the first-team offense. The Raiders have one of the more wide open receiver depth charts in the league, so anything Benson can do to stand out will help his chances not just to make the team but to become a meaningful contributor, and Raiders offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko wants to keep testing him while taking advantage of his 4.37 speed, telling reporters earlier in the week, "We're going to want to maximize what he does, how he comes off the ball, be able to challenge him mentally and do different things with him and just see him grasp the offense and take it from the meeting room to the field." Benson currently sits outside of RotoBaller's top 300 players for 2026, but if he can continue to earn meaningful reps in three-receiver sets alongside Jalen Nailor and Tre Tucker, he could become a usable piece in best ball formats.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Paul Gutierrez

Jul 31, 2026, 10:49 AM ET

The Detroit Lions have signed veteran tight end Anthony Firkser following his release from the Commanders on Wednesday, according to NFL Insider Adam Schefter. An undrafted free agent in 2017, Firkser has played for five different teams across eight professional seasons, appearing in seven games for the Lions in 2025, which marked his second stint with the team. Tasked with an expanded role in the wake of Sam LaPorta's move to injured reserve, Firkser caught eight passes for 53 yards but could be tabbed for more special teams responsibilities in 2026. He joins a Lions depth chart of LaPorta, Brock Wright, and Tyler Conklin and will be looking to earn one of the final spots on the Lions' 53-man roster.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Adam Schefter

Jul 31, 2026, 10:47 AM ET

With the Boston Red Sox recently losing infielder Curtis Mead (wrist) to a fractured wrist shortly after acquiring him from the Washington Nationals last weekend, they are looking for additional infield help at the trade deadline, and The Athletic reports that Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez and middle infielder Xavier Edwards are of interest to Boston. Like Mead, Edwards was acquired by the Tampa Bay Rays as a minor leaguer, and current Red Sox assistant general manager Taylor Smith worked for the Rays as the director of predictive modeling. Boston's preference appears to be a shortstop. While Edwards started 108 games for the Fish in 2024 and 205 at the 6, he lacks a strong arm, which is why the Marlins moved him to second base this year in favor of Lopez. In addition to Mead, shortstop options Trevor Story and Marcelo Mayer are also on the injured list in Boston right now, so they are desperately seeking middle-infield options as they push for a postseason berth down the stretch. The switch-hitting Edwards has above-average speed and makes elite contact at the plate. The 26-year-old is currently slashing a strong .292/.373/.401 with a .775 OPS, six homers, 39 RBI, 51 runs scored, and 18 stolen bases in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal, Will Sammon, and Katie Woo

Jul 31, 2026, 10:38 AM ET

New York Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon (elbow) faced hitters in a "two-up" session of around 30 pitches on Wednesday, July 29, with Double-A Somerset, and "by all accounts, it went well," according to manager Aaron Boone. The skipper said it's still unclear if Rodon's next outing will come in a minor-league rehab game. The 33-year-old southpaw was placed on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 30) on July 3 with left-elbow inflammation, but he could return in early August if he avoids setbacks on his rehab assignment. Rodon should be stashed in an IL spot in most fantasy leagues (he's rostered in 82% of Yahoo leagues), especially with his return potentially not far off. He got a late start in 2026 after having surgery last October to remove loose bodies from his elbow, but he's been solid when available for the Yankees this year, going 4-2 with a 3.30 ERA (3.45 FIP) and 1.25 WHIP with 52 strikeouts and 26 walks in 46 1/3 innings over nine starts. The three-time All-Star can help nearly all fantasy teams down the stretch if he's healthy.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jul 31, 2026, 10:38 AM ET

New England Patriots fourth-year wide receiver Kayshon Boutte was the subject of trade speculation throughout the offseason, but he continues to stack plays in the early days of training camp, and The Athletic's Chad Graff is the latest media member to point him out as the team's best offensive player to this point. Graff includes Boutte on his initial 53-man roster projection, putting him in over 2025 third-round pick Kyle Williams. Once viewed as a potential first-round pick, injuries and off-field concerns saw Boutte fall to the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and now in the final year of his rookie deal, the desire to be featured in a primary role would be understandable from the player's perspective. Instead, Boutte has quietly gone about his business, making highlight-worthy catches whenever his number has been called. Receiver has become the deepest position on the Patriots' roster, as evidenced by Graff's exclusion of Williams from his initial roster projection, so trade rumors could resurface as camp injuries continue to pop up around the league. But after being viewed as a fantasy afterthought for much of the offseason, Boutte is back in the conversation as a potential contributor, particularly as a big-play threat in best ball formats.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Chad Graff

Jul 31, 2026, 10:32 AM ET

The Detroit Tigers are scratching right-hander Casey Mize from his start on Friday against the Athletics, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Mize is not injured, and no trade is in place, but the Tigers are being cautious with the Aug. 3 trade deadline looming. Detroit will go with a bullpen game on Friday. For the time being, Mize is scheduled to make his next start after the deadline on Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners. The Tigers are viewed as sellers going into Monday's deadline, with lefty ace Tarik Skubal being the real prize from Detroit for contenders, but Mize could also be dealt during the best year of his MLB career. Going into Friday's action, the 29-year-old has gone 4-6 with a career-best 2.70 ERA (2.58 FIP) and 0.99 WHIP with 85 strikeouts and 19 walks in 86 2/3 innings across 16 starts in his sixth year in the majors. Mize hasn't been without injuries, but when healthy, he has posted a career-best 24.9% strikeout rate with an excellent 5.6% walk rate.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen

Jul 31, 2026, 10:27 AM ET

After a slow start to his second training camp, New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams made several notable plays during the team's first padded practice of the summer on Thursday. The obvious caveat is that those plays came with Tommy DeVito under center, as Williams continues to run primarily with the second-team offense, and in an early projection of the team's 53-man roster, The Athletic's Chad Graff has the 2025 third-round pick on the outside looking in. Graff acknowledges the unlikeliness of Williams being left off the roster despite an early lack of involvement and points to the team's upcoming preseason games as a crucial opportunity for him to show he belongs, potentially by earning a role in the return game. Williams caught only 10 passes as a rookie, and with wide receiver now representing the deepest position on the Patriots roster, it's unlikely he becomes a reliable fantasy contributor even if he does make the team, reflected by his fall to WR91 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty rankings.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Chad Graff

Jul 31, 2026, 10:26 AM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (knee) will be back in the leadoff spot for the Dodgers for Friday's series opener against the visiting Boston Red Sox and left-hander Ranger Suarez, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. The Dodgers held Ohtani out of Thursday's win over the Seattle Mariners as a precaution due to more soreness in his nagging left knee, which has kept him from starting as a pitcher since July 3. The two-way superstar and four-time MVP is expected to continue serving as the team's DH, although there's no timetable for his return to the mound. The 32-year-old Japanese sensation is a must-start in all fantasy lineups when he's active as a hitter and pitcher, and he'll be back in action as the DH on Friday. Although Ohtani hasn't attempted a stolen base in July, he's still hitting a decent .265 (22-for-83) with an .844 OPS, five home runs, six doubles, 15 RBI, and eight runs scored in 21 games and 92 plate appearances during the month.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya

Jul 31, 2026, 10:24 AM ET

St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez launched his 32nd home run of the Triple-A regular season on Thursday evening. Facing Jacksonville, the outfielder went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI. Baez has enjoyed a recent power surge at Memphis, hitting four long balls over his last 11 contests. On the season, the No. 48-ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline's recent update has carried a .251/.323/.577 slash line with a dominant .900 OPS. He has swiped an impressive 16 bags and added another 19 doubles with three triples. With the Cardinals now expected to entertain offers on some veteran pieces, including outfielder Lars Nootbaar, Baez's MLB debut could come shortly after the deadline. His five-category appeal makes him a top stash target across all formats.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com

Jul 31, 2026, 10:19 AM ET

The Minnesota Twins acquired left-handed reliever A.J. Minter from the New York Mets on Thursday night in exchange for prospects Bruin Agbayani and Billy Amick, league sources told Will Sammon of The Athletic. Minter will help bolster Minnesota's bullpen. The veteran southpaw didn't make his season debut with the Mets until late May after recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he's been solid for New York since his return, posting a 2.35 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 20 strikeouts and only two walks in 23 innings pitched on the season. Minter most likely will continue to be a non-factor for saves in his new home, though, making him unattractive in most fantasy baseball leagues. Agbayani is already ranked as the Mets' No. 22 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. The 19-year-old middle-infield prospect is a hit-over-power type from the left side of the plate. He has above-average speed on the bases as well, but in the long-term, he's not expected to stick at shortstop. In only 10 games at Single-A Fort Myers this year, Agbayani has hit .268/.412/.342 with three doubles, six RBI, 12 runs, and two steals.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Will Sammon

Jul 31, 2026, 10:16 AM ET

After two disappointing seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, wide receiver Roman Wilson could benefit from a new coaching staff, and he has earned the praise of head coach Mike McCarthy for the work he's done in the initial practices of training camp. McCarthy has been impressed by what the 2024 third-round pick has shown out of the slot, telling reporters he's done a "hell of a job" working on the inside and suggesting he could soon see more work on the outside. After injuries all but deleted his rookie season, Wilson earned some early training camp buzz last year but caught only 12 passes for 166 yards in his second season. Ranked outside RotoBaller's top 300 players for 2026, fantasy expectations remain low, but if Wilson can continue to build momentum and carve out a larger role, he could eventually work his way back into the streaming conversation in an offense projected to see a higher passing volume under McCarthy.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Nick Farabaugh

Jul 31, 2026, 10:09 AM ET

Cleveland Guardians catching prospect Cooper Ingle was optioned back to Triple-A Columbus earlier in July after his brief MLB debut. While this demotion greatly impacted his short-term fantasy value, since returning to the top club in the minor leagues, the backstop has looked very productive, suggesting he should see another stint in the coming weeks. Over his last 15 games since returning to Triple-A, Ingle has posted a dominant .413/.472/.714 line with an eye-catching 1.187 OPS. During this noted stretch, Ingle has launched four home runs and tacked on seven doubles. Three of these home runs have come over his last four games. In the majors, Ingle appeared in just seven contests and held a low .095 average. Given Cleveland's lack of production behind the plate this season, Ingle may not have to wait long for another look.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com

Jul 31, 2026, 10:01 AM ET

With an unexpected absence at the top of the depth chart, Detroit Lions running backs Isiah Pacheco and Sione Vaki have been splitting first-team reps in the early days of training camp. Three-time Pro Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs has not been practicing as he seeks a long-term contract extension, and head coach Dan Campbell is taking advantage of an opportunity to load his other backs up with valuable work. Pacheco signed a one-year deal this offseason and is expected to handle parts of the vacated David Montgomery role, while Vaki enters his third season with the team after Detroit spent a fourth-round pick on him following a collegiate career in which he played predominantly on the defensive side of the ball. While Campbell has expressed confidence that an extension with Gibbs will get done, he is not overlooking the situation in front of him and is using it to prepare both players for any unexpected call to action over the course of a long 17-game season.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Benjamin Raven

Jul 31, 2026, 9:58 AM ET

Miami Marlins outfield prospect Cam Cannarella turned in another stellar showing at Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday and is now emerging as a worthy stash target across all standard leagues. Facing Triple-A Memphis, the outfielder swiped a bag and went 2-for-3 at the dish. Since moving up to Jacksonville (10 games), the Clemson product has been nothing short of dominant, posting a .308/.413/.487 slash line with a .900 OPS, four doubles, one home run and five stolen bases. The outfielder began the 2026 season at the High-A level but has quickly progressed through the Miami system. Across 52 games between High-A and Double-A, Cannarella held a .365/.443/.599 line with a 1.042 OPS. His five-category upside makes him a priority stash option in all 12-team leagues ahead of Week 19.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com

Jul 31, 2026, 9:49 AM ET

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington was a fantasy star over the second half of the 2025 season, and reports out of training camp hint at more big things to come in 2026. While the fourth-year receiver made several plays during the opening practice of training camp, it was the work he did on Thursday that caught the eye of Sports Illustrated's John Shipley, who pointed to the success Washington had at all three levels of the field against some of the team's top cover players before noting that he "just seems to continue to make standout plays that make you think he is due for a big season." Washington became a featured piece of the Jaguars offense after their Week 8 bye, playing as the fantasy WR11 over that stretch, and the buzz throughout the spring and summer would suggest continued usage in that manner and potentially the highest ceiling in a loaded Jaguars receiver room. Playing on the final year of his rookie deal, Shipley believes that Washington's performance in the early days of camp could soon earn him an extension, making him a player to target in dynasty leagues despite his rising price tag.--Patrick McGrath
Source: John Shipley

Jul 31, 2026, 9:43 AM ET

Chicago White Sox infield prospect Caleb Bonemer launched another long ball at the Double-A level on Thursday evening as his prospect stock continues to surge. This marked his second-straight contest going deep and his fifth total home run over his last eight regular-season games. Bonemer is currently viewed as the No. 1 prospect in the White Sox system and No. 16 overall on MLB.com. The infielder began the 2026 season at the High-A level but needed only another 61 games there to prove he was ready to join Double-A. Since moving up to Double-A, the former 43rd overall pick has already gone deep nine times and held a .935 OPS. The budding power hitter is putting himself in position to compete for an early 2027 MLB debut on the South Side.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com

Jul 31, 2026, 9:41 AM ET

Philadelphia 76ers guard Anfernee Simons is expected to provide second-unit scoring and three-point shooting, per Paul Hudrick of Liberty Ballers. Simons, 27, signed a two-year, $12.3 million deal after splitting last season between Boston and Chicago, where he averaged 14.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists and shot 38.5% from three. He gives Philadelphia a needed bench scorer after Quentin Grimes left for the Lakers, but his usage could be squeezed behind Tyrese Maxey, LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, and Joel Embiid. For fantasy, Simons is mainly a points-and-threes option with spike-game appeal if the Sixers manage injuries or rest their stars.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Paul Hudrick

Jul 31, 2026, 9:37 AM ET

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka caught a long touchdown pass during a competitive 7-on-7 session of Thursday's training camp practice, as he continues to impress in Zac Robinson's new-look offense. The second-year wideout has been working primarily as the Z-receiver, but his versatility has allowed Robinson to move him all across the formation. Egbuka's 2025 rookie season opened on a historical pace, catching five touchdowns through his first five games, but the Buccaneers' offense as a whole faced mounting injuries and a general lack of cohesion as the season went on, and the first-round pick scored only one more time over his final 12 games. With six-time Pro Bowler Mike Evans no longer with the team, Egbuka is projected to take a major step forward in year two, now serving as the primary read on most plays, and the usage in Robinson's redesigned system has been encouraging for RotoBaller's WR20.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Brianna Dix

Jul 31, 2026, 9:28 AM ET

Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Cason Wallace could be the biggest fantasy winner from the team's offseason salary-shedding moves, per Bryan Toporek of Forbes. Oklahoma City traded Isaiah Joe to Detroit and moved Aaron Wiggins and Luguentz Dort to Atlanta, opening up perimeter minutes after Dort spent years as a starter. Wallace, who started 58 games last season, already brings strong steals, low turnovers, and usable threes, but his scoring ceiling still depends on how much on-ball work he gets next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He looks like a clear redraft riser, especially in nine-category builds. The Thunder can extend Wallace before the season, or he will be on track for restricted free agency in 2027.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Bryan Toporek

Jul 31, 2026, 9:25 AM ET

Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III has been heavily involved in all aspects of the team's passing offense through the early days of training camp, and offensive coordinator Press Taylor spoke to reporters on Thursday about the growth of the dynamic second-year player. "You saw in the spring, he was one of those guys where you really saw the skill set flourish. Now he's not thinking quite as much. He's able to just go out, react, play." Since the Bears traded veteran receiver DJ Moore to the Bills in March, offseason narratives have focused on how targets will be divvied up between a young group of pass catchers featuring Burden, Rome Odunze, and tight end Colston Loveland. Now, through the first practices of camp, Burden's involvement has stood out, and a big second season could be on the way for RotoBaller's WR21.--Patrick McGrath
Source: CHGO Bears

Jul 31, 2026, 9:19 AM ET

Guard Shake Milton has signed with EuroCup side Hapoel Jerusalem for the 2026-27 season, the club announced. Milton spent last season with Partizan Belgrade in his first campaign outside the NBA, averaging 6.9 points, 2.4 assists, and 1.4 rebounds in EuroLeague play while adding 12.8 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.2 rebounds per game in the ABA League. The 29-year-old previously spent seven NBA seasons with the 76ers, Timberwolves, Pistons, Knicks, Nets, and Lakers before heading overseas. He had also been linked to Maccabi Tel Aviv before landing with Hapoel. Milton has been off NBA fantasy boards since leaving the league, and this move keeps him irrelevant for stateside formats.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Sportando

Jul 31, 2026, 9:15 AM ET

Athletics top-ranked prospect Leo De Vries stayed hot in the batter's box on Thursday evening and continues to make a strong case to be called up to Triple-A Las Vegas. On Thursday, De Vries went 2-for-5 with a home run. Since July 4, the No. 2-ranked prospect in baseball has been nothing short of dominant at Midland, carrying a .345/.426/.621 slash line with four doubles, four home runs, five stolen bases, and a 12:9 K:BB. Before this surge, De Vries struggled to produce consistently in the power department, as he held a lower .411 SLG with a modest .778 OPS over the first 70 games of the campaign. Given his current trajectory, a late-season promotion to Triple-A remains in serious play. If he were to earn the call, the budding superstar should contend for an early MLB debut in 2027.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com

Jul 31, 2026, 9:14 AM ET

Through the early days of training camp, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has worked in close to a 50/50 split with fourth-year back Tank Bigsby, with the latter drawing rave reviews from the local beat in his first offseason with the team. While Bigsby's involvement could be viewed as planned load management to keep the team's three-time Pro Bowler fresh through the summer after handling more than 800 touches across his first two campaigns with the team, Eagles reporter Eliot Shorr-Parks speculated on his Go Birds! podcast about whether Bigsby's increased involvement could stretch into the regular season. With Bigsby arriving in Philadelphia via a mid-season trade, his 2025 involvement was limited primarily to special teams, but as his offensive opportunities grew throughout the year, he took advantage, averaging nearly six yards per carry and looking decisive and explosive behind the same banged-up offensive line that was frequently pointed to as a reason Barkley was incapable of matching some of his previous-season highs. Barkley ran for only 1.6 yards after contact per carry last season, with Bigsby's number more than a full yard higher at 2.8 YPA, while his 10 broken tackles came on only 58 carries to Barkley's 18 broken tackles on 280 attempts. Barkley is RotoBaller's RB6 for 2026, but without the volume that fantasy managers are used to seeing, he could struggle to live up to ADP expectations.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Eliot Shorr-Parks

Jul 31, 2026, 9:09 AM ET

Free-agent guard Mac McClung is increasingly likely to continue his career in Europe, with Rytas Vilnius monitoring him, per BasketNews. The three-time Slam Dunk Contest champion and two-time G-League MVP has chased an NBA role for years, but a consistent opportunity has not followed despite his production. McClung spent the end of last season on a two-way deal with the Chicago Bulls and averaged 31.8 points and 7.9 assists for Windy City, yet he has logged only 17 NBA games. Rytas has emerged as a team to watch, though no agreement has been reported. A move overseas would take McClung off NBA fantasy boards, but he was never a redraft factor.--Brian Dailisan
Source: BasketNews

Jul 31, 2026, 9:07 AM ET

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitching prospect Quinn Mathews is a priority target on the waiver wire ahead of his MLB debut on Saturday. Mathews is currently viewed as the team's No. 6 prospect on MLB.com and is outside the current top-100 rankings on MLB Pipeline. However, the southpaw has enjoyed a dominant stretch at Triple-A, which prompted the promotion. Over his last 56 1/3 innings at the top club (since May 28), the southpaw has been near-perfect, posting a 1.60 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, with a 67:22 K:BB. Before this noted stretch, Mathews struggled against the top hitters of the minor leagues, carrying a hefty 5.55 ERA with a 1.63 WHIP across 35 2/3 innings of work. While it is still unknown if he will remain with the major-league club for the long-term, his recent Triple-A production makes him a worthy target in all standard leagues ahead of his debut.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com

Jul 31, 2026, 9:01 AM ET

Free-agent guard Bradley Beal has drawn interest from the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics on a veteran minimum deal, per Evan Sidery. Beal, 33, declined his Clippers player option after a lost season, appearing in six games before undergoing season-ending surgery for a left hip fracture. The three-time All-Star averaged just 8.2 points, 1.7 assists, and 0.8 rebounds with Los Angeles, a long way from his peak scoring years in Washington. Miami may offer a cleaner path to bench offense next to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, while Boston would likely view him as a low-minute scorer. His fantasy appeal depends almost entirely on health and role, leaving him as a late flier rather than a draft priority.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Evan Sidery

Jul 31, 2026, 12:47 AM ET

Washington Nationals outfielder Daylen Lile has been hot lately, and it continued in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the division-rival Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Lile went 2-for-4 at the plate with two solo home runs to extend his modest six-game hitting streak. He also raised his batting average on the year to .248 and his OPS to .717. Believe it or not, it was Lile's third multi-homer game of the 2026 campaign, but he's hitting a modest .248/.299/.418 with 13 home runs, 54 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 56 runs scored in his 452 plate appearances in 108 games in his second year in the majors. As a rookie in 2025, Lile had a .299/.347/.498 slash line with an .845 OPS, nine home runs, 41 RBI, 51 runs, and eight stolen bases in 91 games and 351 plate appearances. Lile is still very young and has an intriguing power/speed profile, especially since he doesn't strike out a lot. And the Nationals seem committed to the former second-rounder. Lile is definitely worth a roster spot as a depth outfielder, and he's gaining waiver-wire interest during his current hot streak. He's rostered in 59% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jul 31, 2026, 12:26 AM ET

Chicago White Sox right-hander Sean Burke continued to roll in Thursday's 2-1 walk-off victory over the visiting New York Yankees in 11 innings. Burke was credited with a no-decision, but fantasy managers were still plenty happy with his performance, as he threw six shutout innings with three hits allowed, two walks, and 10 strikeouts for the second straight start to lower his ERA on the year to a sharp 3.04. Not only does the 26-year-old have back-to-back 10-K performances, but Thursday was his fifth straight quality start. The former third-rounder in 2021 from the University of Maryland is having a breakout in 2026 and now sports a 1.10 WHIP with 140 strikeouts and 37 walks to go with his 3.04 ERA in 124.1 innings pitched. Burke's swing-and-miss stuff has been impressive. He got swings and misses on 18 of his 95 pitches on Thursday against the Yanks, and he currently ranks fifth in the American League in strikeouts. Burke will face the Boston Red Sox for the first time this year in his next outing. They'll be a challenging matchup as one of the hottest teams in baseball in July, and they also don't strike out a ton as a team.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com